Following up on an inquiry received in 2007 from the late Horace R. Burke, a partial reappraisal of Barber's work on Trichobaris LeConte, 1876 is presented. New information is provided about the composition, identity, and origin of the type material not studied by Barber and, before him, Champion. It is concluded that shortcomings in the access to historical specimens led to misinterpretations and untenable conclusions about species identity. Lectotypes are designated for Baridius trinotatusSay, 1832 and Baridius vestitus Boheman, 1836. The latter name is resurrected from synonymy with Trichobaris trinotata (Say) and takes priority over Trichobaris sororChampion, 1909 (new synonymy). Trichobaris texana LeConte, 1876 is returned into synonymy with Trichobaris pellicea (Boheman, 1844).